Lions Club of Mandeville forms partnership to assist students
MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Lions Club of Mandeville recently partnered with the Manchester Youth Information Centre and local business Fancy Fruits to assist students in their preparation for the new school year.
“About 170 students, aged six to 25 years old were able to receive back to school packages through the initiative,” outreach chairperson for the Lions Club and acting senior youth empowerment officer at the Manchester Youth Information Centre Charlene McLaughlin told the Jamaica Observer.
She said that the students received packages, which included notebooks, pens, pencils, other stationery items, and snacks.
McLaughlin said that the attendees to the Cecil Charlton Park Courtyard venue were also able to access registration forms from HEART Trust/NTA, receive information on programme offerings, and benefited from free health checks.
She highlighted that the decision to assist the students served a greater good of fostering better life chances.
“Illiteracy or when youth are excluded from the education system that is a key factor in crime and violence. In an effort to alleviate these nuisances we sought to assist students from low-income and volatile communities with basic essentials for back-to-school,” McLaughlin stated.
She said further that access to quality education and basic services promotes active youth involvement in society and affords young people the opportunities to reach their potential and achieve their goals.
McLaughlin said that the initiative took a holistic approach in an effort to both empower and provide tangible support through inclusion of other stakeholders, namely, Three Angels Pharmacy Mobile Clinic, First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union, Knox Community College, and the Manchester Police.
She said that the youth across the parish are being encouraged to visit the Manchester Youth Information Centre (beside Brooks Park) for information and assistance towards achieving their educational, career and life goals.
McLaughlin also noted that participation in service organisations, such as the Lions Club, can make a major difference in the society.